I was given
Red Gorilla. The problem being that I'm currently in the Blasted Lands and the Red Gorrilas are most reliably found in Feralas nearly all the way across the world.
But I was up for flying out and seeing new sights. In fact, I had not been to Kalimdor since first arriving to Orgrimmar months ago. But this time me and my trusted companion Chilly the Penguin were off for some southern exposure...
Except, as always, we missed the boat from Booty Bay to Ratchet. Just barely missed it. But eventually we did make it.
Chilly was a little concerned about what the heat of the Jungle might do to her. After all, Penguins aren't like how they portray them in the movies. They can handle warm weather, but you don't see them in the tropics. But while we were on the boat I explained to her that this was just a vacation, and soon we'll be back to the sweltering heat of the Blasted Lands. Chilly was not comforted, but soon she would not have a choice. After a quick flight we landed in Feralas, went west, and quickly found a Red Gorilla just off the side of the road:
(I didn't realize this forum does not allow embedding videos, so for full effect, read the caption and watch what is linked below:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/aWQPHjkqdBY
I found a nearby bush and took a moment to take in the Gorilla. The thing is massive and obviously a big eater. It tended to pace back and forth slightly askew, and had an unusual tendency to scratch its butt. A lot. A whole lot. As in nearly every time it would stop moving it would stop to scratch, sometimes multiple times. And even though I had to duck in the bush once when it got close, soon the stench from the scratching wafted just a little too close. So...this is to be my companion? There's only one name that popped in my mind...or in my nose.
BRUZYQ & STANKY
He smells much worse up close.
From a nice view in town of a waterfall and the river, I gave Stanky one last look at his scenic homeland before I wisked him away across the world. He didn't seem particularly upset. No, he seemed content to stand and watch, scratch contently, or occasionally stop to beat his chest proudly. Stanky certainly looked imposing beside me, but I had my doubts about whether he would be focused or oafish on the battlefield.
Chilly was just worried about turning into a snack.
Bruzyq and Stanky in the Blasted Lands
Watch Bruzyq and Stanky in action:
http://youtu.be/8kzGzQHO1Qw including killing some Ogres and discovering a mysterious chest that baffles both me and Chilly. I'm not sure if Stanky is all there yet.
But what surprised me when I went questing with Stanky was his tenacity. Okay, he is of that family, but having leveled with a Spider for most of the time, I was struck by just how effective Stanky was not only at holding agro, but also at quickly dispatching foes. His slap ability was brutal, and his thunderstomp was both effective and mesmerizing. Although creatures had little time to live facing him, the moments they did were rough for them. I could tell that Stanky was loyal to me, as if for some reason I had saved him from some great plight back in Feralas. Why had he been relegated to being alongside the road? Had he been kicked out of his home? Was he looking for adventure?
Chilly, as always, brought up the rear.
The truth was in his face both in and out of combat. Stanky was happy to be by my side -- and once he was away from his habitat I saw a lot less scratching and a lot more chest beating. It's as if I gave him confidence.
We met some mysterious cave elves in Blasted Lands. I don't know why such sophisticated creatures would choose that as their haunt, but they wanted blood and lots of blood.
Bruzyq and Stanky do a Dungeon
However, before I could help them too much I got a call to go to Black Rock Depths -- yet when I arrived, mercifully perhaps, we were already in the Lycium (the room with the respawning dwarves) with one group member dead and the tank and healer totally clueless.
This is where Stanky truly shined. He acted as a tank where the other tank would not, gathering enemies and slowly bringing the group out from running in circles and quickly towards the safety of the other side of the hall. Of course, in the picture above, the tank and healer have no idea what is going on and Stanky is charging quickly to my rescue. What can I say, I was in a tough spot in melee. But Stanky got me out in no time.
And he helped me lead the dungeon in damage done as well, which was nice because I was not expecting that from him at all. My spider attacks precisely. My raptor attacks viciously. But Stanky? He'll slap the crap out of anyone who comes by, and man does he pack a punch.
Bruzyq and Stanky Final Thoughts
So what can I say about Stanky the Red Gorilla? He really surprised me. At first I thought he would be a slow oafing best who would rather scratch his butt than fight for me. But I was mistaken -- we found each other at the right time. Stanky was ready to see the world, and I am happy to oblige. He performed well in dungeons, and he walks around with a particular swagger with a sloped back and unbalanced gait. I like him. I think I'm going to keep him around and see what he can do.
But if he wants to see the world, I say, "why stop at one?"